Public Safety

The safety of our residents and workforce is a top priority of the DDD. Downtown is one of the safest neighborhoods in New Orleans, thanks in part to the DDD’s robust Public Safety Team, enhanced police presence, private patrol detail and the efforts of our citizens. See information below to learn more about DDD safety programs, including SafeWalk, homeless outreach, CPR training, and code enforcement.

The Public Safety Team may be reached at (504) 415-1730 or rangers@downtownnola.com.

Public Safety Rangers

The DDD created the Public Safety Ranger program as an integral element of Downtown’s public safety network. The Public Safety Rangers are a non-commissioned force of safety professionals who patrol Downtown on foot and on bicycle. They act as extra eyes and ears for the police and the DDD. Rangers are customer-friendly and provide visible coverage throughout Downtown.

Areas of focus:

Deterring crime through visible patrols

Reporting suspicious behavior to proper authorities

Assisting visitors, residents and workers with maps, directions and information on where to go, what to see and how to get there

Discouraging aggressive panhandling and other quality of life crimes

Offering free SafeWalks to Downtown residents, workers and visitors

Enforcing quality of life and building code ordinances

Homeless Outreach

Providing safety training to Downtown stakeholders

Don’t mistake the Rangers for uniformed police or paramedics; for immediate assistance and emergencies, call 911 or the New Orleans Police Department non-emergency line at (504) 821-2222.

For questions about the program, to make a report, to schedule and check availability for a training session or SafeWalk , please call (504) 415-1730.

Private Patrol Unit

The DDD provides a private patrol unit operated by Pinnacle Security and Investigations. All Pinnacle Security Officers that are assigned to patrol duties have a law enforcement background.

In addition to the DDD NOPD detail, Pinnacle provides armed, uniformed officers and a marked vehicle to patrol Downtown 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

The private patrols are available to respond to phone calls, perform regular business checks, report suspicious activity and address quality of life issues.

Enhanced Police Services

Focus enhanced police resources on areas of need to address public safety and quality of life issues, real and perceived, quickly and effectively.

Provide flexibility in deployment of police resources according to changing needs Downtown, such as:

where, when, and what type of crime is occurring;

changing perceptions of public safety;

special events sponsored by the DDD.

Assure accountability to DDD management and stakeholders for decreasing crime and the perception of crime Downtown.

SafeWalk & Take a Walk with a Ranger

SafeWalk

SafeWalk is a free service provided to safely escort residents, workers and visitors to their Downtown destination.

To schedule a SafeWalk, contact the DDD Public Safety Rangers during regular operating hours: 7 days a week, 6:00a.m. to 10:00p.m.

Please call at least 20 minutes prior to the requested SafeWalk.

Call or text (504) 415-1730 to check availability. If texting, include name, location and time of meet-up.

Tips on Walking Safely in Cities

Strength comes in numbers. Two is always safer than one!

If you walk alone, make sure you tell someone your route and the time you expect to return

Be aware of your surroundings

Keep your cell phone handy for use in an emergency

If carrying a purse, place it securely between your arm and body. Do not use the shoulder strap, which can be easily grabbed

Wear bright colored clothing when out after dark

Stick to busy, well-lit streets

When approached by a panhandler simply say “no, thank you” or “no, sorry.” Avoid negotiations or saying things like “I have no change” because they take bills as well!

Avoid needless displays of money

Take a Walk with a Ranger

In an effort to continue to keep Downtown New Orleans one of the safest communities in city, The DDD has launched a new public safety initiative designed to build better relationships and improve communication between DDD Public Safety Rangers and business owners, property managers and residents.

The new “Take a Walk with a Ranger” provides Downtown stakeholders the opportunity to spend an hour or two, one on one with a DDD Public Safety Ranger walking through parts of Downtown discussing public safety tips and quality of life concerns.

“The safety of our residents and workforce is a top priority of the DDD, and our Public Safety Rangers are on the front lines patrolling our streets to deter crime and address quality of life issues,” said DDD Director of Operations Richard McCall. “We want to expand their reach by encouraging everyone to spend time with a Ranger and experience our public safety program first-hand.”

CPR & Safety Presentations

DDD Public Safety Ranger program offers private First Aid+CPR+AED training to Downtown residents, workers and visitors at a reduced cost. The full day course is conducted by a DDD Public Safety Ranger who is an American Red Cross certified trainer. Each participant who successfully completes the course receives an American Red Cross certification card valid for 2 years.

In addition to CPR training, DDD Public Safety Rangers offer personal safety presentations for Downtown stakeholders. To schedule a First Aid+CPR+AED training or a safety presentation by the DDD Ranger team, contact Donald Clouse, DDD Lead Public Safety Ranger.

SafecamNOLA

If you own a security camera in New Orleans, you can register it with NOPD to help detectives solve crimes in your neighborhood and provide strong evidence to put offenders away.

The New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, in partnership with the NOPD, launched a new online service called Safecam NOLA. The program allows residents and business owners to register their security cameras with New Orleans Police. The SafecamNOLA project is an expansion of “Safecam8,” which was an on-line program that Downtown residents and business owners in the Eighth Police District have been using for years to register their cameras with Eighth District police. The 1,302 8th District cameras that are in that system are now included in the citywide SafecamNOLA system.